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My surgery was uncomplicated but my surgeon wanted me to stay overnight for observation. Still groggy from anesthesia, I snoozed on and off for a couple of hours, had a dinner consisting of the world's best Jell-O, and visited with family and friends.

Just as visiting hours were ending I began to feel very ill. I became diaphoretic, lightheaded, and the room began to spin. I rang the call bell.

"Can I help you?" the nameless voice from the wall asked.

"I need my nurse please" I asked, ashamed that I was being such a difficult patient.

About 20 minutes later the harried night nurse appeared at the door. No introductions were offered.

I quietly explained that I did not feel "right." I explained that I felt clammy, lightheaded, and nauseous after feeling well all afternoon. "You are probably just tired," she said. I lay in the bed wondering if maybe I was.

"Can we at least check my blood pressure, to put my mind at ease? " I asked. "I have this bleeding problem, and ."

"I know, you're the one that's the nurse," she replied.

The nurse agreed to humor me and walked out of the room. Five minutes later she reappeared without the blood pressure machine. "The aide says she just checked your blood pressure and it was 136/86," she said.

Lying there, I waited to hear the Twilight Zone theme song play.

I pled my case, feeling there must be some confusion; no one had taken my blood pressure since my arrival on the unit. The nurse continued to insist that the aide had just taken my blood pressure and that it was fine.

As I lay there in bed, I had begun to think about the situation. Why was my nurse not listening to me? After all, wouldn't a patient know themself best?

I wondered if had ever treated a patient this way. I thought through my years of experience and hoped I had never easily dismissed a concern a patient had.

My nurse relented and agreed to take my blood pressure "again." I lay there with the room spinning, waiting for the verdict. The machine beeped and the red numbers appeared on the screen: 90/52.

The nurse diligently sprang into action hanging IV fluids and checking to be sure my blood pressure responded to the boluses.

I felt better after some fluid and was able to go home the next day.

Lingering Questions

After my recovery I returned to those questions that had spun around in my head that night. I

revisited the events and again felt my nurse initially did not value what I was telling her. Why would nursing staff not value what their patient was telling them?

Nursing implications in ensuring the right of patient self-determination.

I explored this thought more and resolved to always "hear" my patients and to trust what they tell me - even on the busiest of days.

As easy as it is to get busy with patient care and a myriad of tasks to perform, we need to remember that if a patient expresses a concern, we have a duty to investigate it as set out in the ANA Code of Ethics. In this situation, the moral and ethical compass was clearly broken.

As professionals, these ethical standards should be paramount to the care we provide. Healthcare professionals are the experts - that is the purpose of the vigorous nursing school programs that aim to prepare us for any situation.

However, the truth of the matter is, when it comes to the patient, they are the expert in the field of knowing themselves. By resolving to take the time to be present and really listen to our patients, we can address their concerns, hopefully offering some comfort along the way.

By doing this, nurse and patient can form a team of experts, ready to embark on their journey together.

Thank you for confirming my observations and experiences. Nursing needs to take back our profession and hold it to the standard our patients deserve.

Kelley Beglin, RN, Hospital

May 09, 2014

Bakersfield, CA

Wow, just read that post by Karen-almost made me cry to know someone else out there is feeling the same way. Thanks. And Happy Nurse's Week.

Kelley Beglin, RN, Hospital

May 09, 2014

Bakersfield, CA

I totally agree with Karen's comment. Taking the time to listen or explain things to patient's and families and do the "little things" to make them comfortable has taken a back seat to getting all the computer charting and paperwork done.The people who manage to always get out on time are praised for their ability to "manage time wisely" because that saves the hospital money. I think management should review their priorities.

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